TC Electronic RH450, RS210, RS212 Review Thread (Part VI)

[Kelly Lee]

Another installment!

Continued from here: TC Electronic RH450, RS210, RS212 Review Thread (Part V)

[drpepper]

I used my 2xRS212 setup for the first time last week...it was good.

(While that is true, I really just wanted to get the first post )

[engedi1]

dang it! You beat me to it! Can you comment further on the 212 experience? I will be using my 212 + 112 at a rock show tomorrow, so far that rig has been holding up volume and tone wise, but I still lust after a 212+212 stack!

[Ur2funky]

Subscribed!

[John Wentzien]

Originally Posted by Ur2funky

Subscribed!

Purdy!

[tombowlus]

Here ya go!





Of course, the only TC item there that I actually own is the head...

[Thumper828]

Whats the loudest ya'll have pushed the amp? as far as master setting

[Ur2funky]

Originally Posted by Thumper828

Whats the loudest ya'll have pushed the amp? as far as master setting

I don't have my preset levels maxed (found with the shift button) but rather set at 3:00, which affects the master setting.

With a single RS210 outdoors the master will creep up to 1:00 max.

Normal setting inside with our loud drummer and my RS210 + RS212 is master at 11:00

[John Wentzien]

With 2XRS212's don't think I've ever had to boost the master past 11 o'clock...even on outside gigs.

I've had it as high as 12 o'clock with a single RS212 at a large inside gig.

[drpepper]

Originally Posted by engedi1

dang it! You beat me to it! Can you comment further on the 212 experience? I will be using my 212 + 112 at a rock show tomorrow, so far that rig has been holding up volume and tone wise, but I still lust after a 212+212 stack!

Sure, I can comment further, but I have a real hard time conveying what I hear in the descriptive terminology that's usually used here. I'll start off by saying that my rig is admittedly overkill. I play in a cover band that plays mostly very small bars. That said, I've mostly been doing either 2xRS210 or 1xRS212 at gigs (sometimes all 3, just because). Not too long ago, I decided to sell one of the RS210s and go with 2 RS212s (that decision was made much in the same way a cat decides it needs to be in another room).

Basically there was no weakness in 2xRS210, so I can't knock that, but 2xRS212s was deep and rich and gave the sense in terms of overhead that I could have chased everyone out of the room screaming if I wanted to.

It also seemed like it might have mellowed the grind of the bass. I'm not saying it was mushy or muddy in anyway. I mean this in a positive way...a "smoother" punch. The grind was still there, but it was kind of pushed down or subdued in the fatness of the overall sound more than the 210s...I don't know if that makes a lick of sense, but there you go. I don't think I will ever be a reviewer

[engedi1]

I have only used it on indoor gigs sofar, and with the 212 and 112 have never manged to get it past 11 oclock, and that was on a LOUD gig. Normally 10 oclock is plenty

[John Wentzien]

Originally Posted by drpepper

Sure, I can comment further, but I have a real hard time conveying what I hear in the descriptive terminology that's usually used here. I'll start off by saying that my rig is admittedly overkill. I play in a cover band that plays mostly very small bars. That said, I've mostly been doing either 2xRS210 or 1xRS212 at gigs (sometimes all 3, just because). Not too long ago, I decided to sell one of the RS210s and go with 2 RS212s (that decision was made much in the same way a cat decides it needs to be in another room).

Basically there was no weakness in 2xRS210, so I can't knock that, but 2xRS212s was deep and rich and gave the sense in terms of overhead that I could have chased everyone out of the room screaming if I wanted to.

It also seemed like it might have mellowed the grind of the bass. I'm not saying it was mushy or muddy in anyway. I mean this in a positive way...a "smoother" punch. The grind was still there, but it was kind of pushed down or subdued in the fatness of the overall sound more than the 210s...I don't know if that makes a lick of sense, but there you go. I don't think I will ever be a reviewer

Makes sense to me!

[drpepper]

Originally Posted by John Wentzien

Makes sense to me!

Ha! So there you go, "deep and rich with a smooth punch and your grind subdued in the fatness of the overall sound."

[CAW]

I got my Blacksmith today (Donovan really is the best place to go for TC stuff in the US). I haven't really had much chance to play with it yet; I've mostly just gotten it hooked up and done basic testing to insure nothing on it is DOA.



(Please excuse the crappy cameraphone pics -- it was the quickest way to get a couple shots of the new amp up.)

One thing I am wondering with the Blacksmith: it has a switch for 2ohm or 4+ohm. Running three RS212s should technically fall in the 2ohm range, but TC always said this was fine with the RH450 (which only supports 4ohm) because they "know the exact characteristics of their cabinets)". So I'm wondering if I should leave it on 4ohm when using the three RS212s, or if I should switch it to 2ohm mode for optimal performance.

And not that I'd ever need it, but if 3xRS212 is still 4ohm "safe" then could you run two stacks of 3xRS212 off this thing at the 2ohm setting? That would be.... impressive. Overkill 9000, yes. But impressive, none-the-less. Or does it cap out at 4xRS212? I'm going to assume 4xRS212 since the manual shows 4xRS410s as an example of 2ohm configuration. Even still, 4xRS212 is a lot of air getting pushed...

(And to make things clear, I don't need the 1600W of power the Blacksmith delivers. I got the Blacksmith because it's a proper rack-mount form factor. I have the rack kit for the RH450, but it just looks terrible in a rack. So now I'll rack the Blacksmith in with my other gear [once the new, larger flight case arrives] and keep the RH450 for use as my practice amp in combination with my RS112.)

[CAW]

Also, as we've got a new part in the TC megathread, shouldn't we consider renaming the thread? The megathread has become all TC bass amp related products over its lifetime, not just the original RH450+RS series cabs...

[Vic]

Originally Posted by CAW

One thing I am wondering with the Blacksmith: it has a switch for 2ohm or 4+ohm. Running three RS212s should technically fall in the 2ohm range, but TC always said this was fine with the RH450 (which only supports 4ohm) because they "know the exact characteristics of their cabinets)". So I'm wondering if I should leave it on 4ohm when using the three RS212s, or if I should switch it to 2ohm mode for optimal performance.

If the manual doesn't say otherwise (special caveat, like the other TC heads to for the three cab config) I would definitely switch it to the 2 ohm setting at least for now. The 4 ohm setting MIGHT be safe, the 2 ohm setting WILL be safe.

And you spent all that money on the Blacksmith just for its 19" rack form factor... just for the looks? Wow. That was an expensive face plate!

[CAW]

Originally Posted by Vic

And you spent all that money on the Blacksmith just for its 19" rack form factor... just for the looks? Wow. That was an expensive face plate!

All things considered, the Blacksmith was a lot cheaper than I was expecting it to be. By like half. Had it been what I was originally expecting, that would have been hard to justify. But at its actual price point, the cost was not an issue to me. I have always strongly believed that aesthetics are important in any kind of performance/show environment. And aesthetics are one of those intangibles that is hard to put a monetary cost on.

It is nice that it also has the newer control design (that the RH750 shares). And I'll never, ever, have to worry about not having enough power...

[JGR]

Did you get it for less than the $2500 I am seeing it listed for? Very interested in this amp. Please shoot some videos when you get a chance!

[Thumper828]

Originally Posted by CAW

I got my Blacksmith today (Donovan really is the best place to go for TC stuff in the US). I haven't really had much chance to play with it yet; I've mostly just gotten it hooked up and done basic testing to insure nothing on it is DOA.



(Please excuse the crappy cameraphone pics -- it was the quickest way to get a couple shots of the new amp up.)

One thing I am wondering with the Blacksmith: it has a switch for 2ohm or 4+ohm. Running three RS212s should technically fall in the 2ohm range, but TC always said this was fine with the RH450 (which only supports 4ohm) because they "know the exact characteristics of their cabinets)". So I'm wondering if I should leave it on 4ohm when using the three RS212s, or if I should switch it to 2ohm mode for optimal performance.

And not that I'd ever need it, but if 3xRS212 is still 4ohm "safe" then could you run two stacks of 3xRS212 off this thing at the 2ohm setting? That would be.... impressive. Overkill 9000, yes. But impressive, none-the-less. Or does it cap out at 4xRS212? I'm going to assume 4xRS212 since the manual shows 4xRS410s as an example of 2ohm configuration. Even still, 4xRS212 is a lot of air getting pushed...

(And to make things clear, I don't need the 1600W of power the Blacksmith delivers. I got the Blacksmith because it's a proper rack-mount form factor. I have the rack kit for the RH450, but it just looks terrible in a rack. So now I'll rack the Blacksmith in with my other gear [once the new, larger flight case arrives] and keep the RH450 for use as my practice amp in combination with my RS112.)

What does the Blacksmith sound like compared to the RH450

[Vic]

Originally Posted by CAW

All things considered, the Blacksmith was a lot cheaper than I was expecting it to be. By like half. Had it been what I was originally expecting, that would have been hard to justify. But at its actual price point, the cost was not an issue to me. I have always strongly believed that aesthetics are important in any kind of performance/show environment. And aesthetics are one of those intangibles that is hard to put a monetary cost on.

It is nice that it also has the newer control design (that the RH750 shares). And I'll never, ever, have to worry about not having enough power...

WTHECK? I'm not gonna' ask you what you paid, but I think I can tell from your language you got a HELL of a discount on that head. I'd have jumped ALL over that myself. The thing I think is especially cool about the BS is the fact it's a special... a hand made model. That's the reason they're so expensive. I would consider these to become a rarity... or maybe I should say, continue to be a rarity... long term.

Nice grab!!!!